Slavia Prague vs Arsenal predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of Europa League fixture tonight
A spot in the Europa League last four is on the line as Arsenal head to the Czech Republic for the return leg against Slavia Prague.
Mikel Arteta’s side will have to find a much-improved showing on their last two European outings if they want to keep their trophy dreams alive, with their participation on the European stage next season also now reliant on winning this competition outright.
The first leg saw the Gunners take a late lead, only for Slavia to find an even later equaliser to leave the tie poised at 1-1 – though an away goal and their long unbeaten streak, dating back to December, means the Prague side have the edge ahead of kick-off.
Arteta has demanded his biggest players step up and provide the “magic” his team need at these moments, with inconsistency a real issue for the Gunners all season long and the chances of them going the distance in this competition hampered by their inability to play at their highest level on a game-to-game, or sometimes even half-to-half, basis.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
When is the match?
The game kicks off at 8pm on Thursday, 15 April.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be screened live on BT Sport 1, while subscribers can stream the match via the BT Sport app and desktop website.
What is the team news?
Ondrej Kudela will not play again this season in Europe after being handed a 10-match suspension for racially abusing Rangers’ Glen Kamara. David Hovorka is out through injury, but goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar returned for the first leg and will feature again here for Slavia.
Arsenal are missing David Luiz and Kieran Tierney from the defensive line and must hand fitness tests to Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe to see which attacking midfield options are available to Mikel Arteta. Gabriel Martinelli is another doubt and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed the weekend win through illness.
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Predicted line-ups
SLP – Kolar; Bah, Holes, Zima, Boril; Provod, Hromada; Sima, Stanciu, Olayinka; Kuchta
ARS – Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric; Xhaka, Thomas; Pepe, Saka, Martinelli, Lacazette
Odds
Slavia – 19/5
Draw – 37/13
Arsenal – 6/7
Prediction
Arsenal are too inconsistent to be relied upon and Slavia will rightly have confidence in their abilities to see out the job. Slavia 2-1 Arsenal (agg 3-2).
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